Become a pikeman in the Earl of Manchester's Regiment of Foote

Join up now by emailing theearlofmanchesters@ Probably the most competitive role on the battlefield, this is a great de-stresser and is suitable for adults, both male and female, who like a physical challenge. A pike is an 18-feet long pole made of wood that normally had a metal spike at the end, though for safety reasons ours do not. A very traditional weapon that required skill to master, the pike were used en masse by well-drilled men. Pikemen would stand in large blocks to protect vulnerable musketeers from charging cavalry and they would also attack the enemy in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Pike was considered to be the backbone of the infantry, but as muskets became more effective the use of the pike declined.